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Turkish Interior Minister comments on arrest of journalists

07 March 2011 [16:30] - TODAY.AZ
Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay said that the government could not be accused regarding the arrest of journalists within the scope of Ergenekon investigation, Anadolu News Agency reported.

It is unjust to accuse the government for limiting the press regarding a procedure pursued by jurisdiction, said Atalay while commenting on arrest of journalists under Ergenekon (an alleged criminal network plotting to foment chaos to prepare the groundwork for a military takeover) in a program in private Kanal 7 on Sunday.

Atalay said that there would not be democracy when there was no freedom press and thought. He noted that it was necessary to wait for the results of the investigation.

The government expects the jurisdiction to prevent the misunderstandings, and inform the public and get results of the investigation rapidly, he added.

Noting that Justice & Development (AK) Party attached importance to democratization policies more than economy policies, Atalay said that they modernized Press Law, which was adopted in 1950, and lifted obstacles before freedom of thought and expression.

Also commenting on the upcoming general elections (on June 12), Atalay said that according to surveys, AK Party would receive 49-50% of the votes in the elections, adding that AK Party's target was to include Turkey in the top ten biggest economies of the world by 2023, increase national income per capita to 25,000 USD, and prepare the first civilian Constitution.


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URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/82079.html

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